Quebec writer Gaetan Soucy dead at the age of 54

MONTREAL – Quebec writer Gaetan Soucy has died of a heart attack at the age of 54.

His publisher said in a statement that Soucy died in Montreal on Tuesday.

Soucy’s best-known novel was ”La petite fille qui aimait trop les allumettes,” which was translated into English as “The Little Girl Who Was Too Fond of Matches.”

The 1998 book was translated into numerous languages.

He also wrote three other novels: “L’Immaculee Conception” (“The Immaculate Conception”), “L’Acquittement” (“Atonement”) and “Music-Hall!” (“Vaudeville!”).

“The Immaculate Conception” was shortlisted for the 2006 Giller Prize, which was won that year by Vincent Lam for “Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures.”

Soucy taught philosophy at a college near Montreal.

He is survived by his daughter Sayaka, his parents as well as six brothers and sisters.